Transportation was the word of the day at the International Harvester exhibit May 28 at the St. James Farm Homecoming in Warrenville, Ill.

At the show were two over-the-road long-haul trucks made by Navistar. Darren Gosbee of Navistar shared information about the beautiful Harley-Davidson semi on display. The headlights are actual authentic headlamps from motorcycles, from the famous Harley-Davidson Screamin’ Eagle.

Inside, the leather seats feature the Harley-Davidson bar and shield. The paint is Harley’s metallic black paint with contrasting silver/orange striping in classic Harley-Davidson style.

Outside, the truck has other several distinctive features. This includes a distinctive grille inspired from the 1939 International D-series with Harley-Davidson logo-type side graphics. The simple front bumper of the truck is integrated with fog and marker/turn lamps and optional bumper light bar. The truck has a seven-inch chrome stack and many other features that drew visitors’ attention at the homecoming.

Navistar also brought a semi dedicated to the military. The truck, with the Army football team’s equipment, was traveling around the country and is part of a three-year lease agreement brokered between the Army Athletic Assoc. and Navistar Defense, LLC.

The 2010 International LoneStar truck is painted and outfitted specifically for the Army football team. A press release from November states it “replaces the original rig that was donated by Navistar prior to the 2008 season. The 18-wheeler was dedicated and officially handed over to the Army Athletic Assoc. during (an) Army-Air Force spirit rally at West Point.”

The press release went on to explain the extensive design on the custom-painted truck that is adorned with famous graduates and images of West Point. The truck allows the Army football team to use smaller aircraft and save money on flights to and from its away games. It is a true dedication to the military branches, and it was fitting that it be part of a display over the Memorial Day weekend.

 Besides these two beautifully decorated semis, there was also an energy-efficient electric van on display. “This is all-electric and has a range of about 100 miles,” Darren explained. “FedEx parcel delivery uses them. It is very much an urban door-to-door delivery (vehicle).”

The Class 3 truck Navistar calls eStar was initially built with a 14- or 16-foot fiberglass van body and aimed at use for package delivery fleets, utility bodies and shuttle buses. The eStar operates on a 300-volt lithium-ion battery and its top speed is 50 mph.

There was also a lovely 1948 KB11 truck that Ron Poland of Navistar said was bought in Long Island, in New York. Navistar purchased the vehicle for a truck museum that is under development. “The museum is at least a year-and-a-half away. It will be located in Melrose Park,” explained.

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.